Photos: The critics recommend

Michael Brosilow / HANDOUT

An existential crisis for an arts-graduate hipster can arrive at 7:45 of a Chicago morning, when the memorable excitement of a three-way suddenly gets replaced by the imperative of punching the clock at Groupon. Groupon — known for its hiring of disaffected actors, writers and poets — comes in for some amusing abuse in Ike Holter's very funny new comedy. This highly entertaining dissection of Midwestern millennials plows the very familiar territory of the 30ish person's agonized transition into arrested adulthood but is notable nonetheless for its wry humor and authentic compassion. This different side of Holter is a very welcome addition, especially since it comes with the same gorgeously poetic riffs and this hugely gifted writer's restless need to subvert form. Through May 29 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St.; $30-$35 at 312-943-8722 or aredorchidtheatre.org

An existential crisis for an arts-graduate hipster can arrive at 7:45 of a Chicago morning, when the memorable excitement of a three-way suddenly gets replaced by the imperative of punching the clock at Groupon. Groupon — known for its hiring of disaffected actors, writers and poets — comes in for some amusing abuse in Ike Holter's very funny new comedy. This highly entertaining dissection of Midwestern millennials plows the very familiar territory of the 30ish person's agonized transition into arrested adulthood but is notable nonetheless for its wry humor and authentic compassion. This different side of Holter is a very welcome addition, especially since it comes with the same gorgeously poetic riffs and this hugely gifted writer's restless need to subvert form. Through May 29 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St.; $30-$35 at 312-943-8722 or aredorchidtheatre.org

Set in 1985 Dublin, “Sing Street” is a seriously endearing picture from John Carney, the writer-director of “Once,” about which I am crazy. For his latest, I'm two-thirds crazy. That's percentage enough. One minute you’re watching the young protagonist dragged into a school bathroom and waterboarded by his stern Catholic school educator in the name of removing the boy’s offending Duran Duran makeup. The next minute, the same boy, Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) is channeling his anger and confusion into shooting a low-fi music video with his bandmates and the aspiring model Raphina (Lucy Boynton) who fills Conor’s head-space every waking moment. “Sing Street” feels like a three-minute pop song, flavorsome and catchy, in movie form. PG-13, 1:45.

Set in 1985 Dublin, “Sing Street” is a seriously endearing picture from John Carney, the writer-director of “Once,” about which I am crazy. For his latest, I'm two-thirds crazy. That's percentage enough. One minute you’re watching the young protagonist dragged into a school bathroom and waterboarded by his stern Catholic school educator in the name of removing the boy’s offending Duran Duran makeup. The next minute, the same boy, Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) is channeling his anger and confusion into shooting a low-fi music video with his bandmates and the aspiring model Raphina (Lucy Boynton) who fills Conor’s head-space every waking moment. “Sing Street” feels like a three-minute pop song, flavorsome and catchy, in movie form. PG-13, 1:45.